Books

Autobiographical Memories now as EPUB

Rodion Shchedrin is internationally recognized as the pre-eminent contemporary composer of the Russian modern school. His autobiography looks back over an eventful life and provides a variety of stimulating insights behind the facade of the international music scene. Along the way Shchedrin elaborates highly personal views on the political situation and many other aspects of life in the former Soviet Union, turning an unsparing eye on the machinery of ideological repression exerted on artists as they struggled to interpret and conform to the constantly mutating diktats of the regime. A wealth of anecdotes and humorous observations offer the reader glimpses of the author’s essentially sanguine and life-enhancing disposition.

Publisher: Schott Music
286 Pages - Paperback/Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-3-254-08419-4

English translation by Anthony Phillips

You can order this book as a paper editions here: 
www.schott-musik.de/shop/2/show
(order number: SEM 8419)

The EPUB version of the book is available here:

www.notafina.de/ebook/Rodion-Shchedrin/22957

„Was man schreibt, ist unantastbar“

Rodion Shchedrin Autobiografische Notizen

Schott Music, Mainz 2009

German translation of the Russian original edition “Rodion Shchedrin. Autobiographical notes”
(ACT/Novosti, Moscow 2008)
384 pages, 153 black-and-white pictures, paperback, 12 x 19 cm
ISBN 978-3-254-08414-9

You can order this book here: 
http://www.schott-musik.de/shop/2/show
(order number: SEM 8414) 

The autobiography “Was man schreibt, ist unantastbar. Autobiografische Notizen” ("What is already written is inviolable. Autobiographical notes") – the original Russian edition was published in Moscow 2008 – is an important key to get a better understanding and a whole picture of Rodion Shchedrin’s artistic activity. Shchedrin looks back on his eventful life and admits exciting insights behind the scenes of the international music world. He develops his personal view on the political situation and life in the former Soviet Union as well as the consequences of the political and ideological repression for the artistic practice. Especially the short anecdotes and humorous hints, sometimes mixed with a bitter irony, reveal a very pleasant side of Shchedrin as a man who, in spite of some adverse experiences, has kept his cheerfulness and joy of life.

Rodion Shchedrin

Rodion Shchedrin Autobiographical notes

The first autobiographical book by Rodion Shchedrin. 

Russian original edition. 

Published: AST, AST Moscow, Novosti, 2008 
288 pages, 153 black-and-white pictures, hardcover 
ISBN 978-5-17-050466-4; 978-5-9713-9494-5 

"Over several years I have repeatedly done notes, sketches and text for the book. I chose the title of "Autobiographical Notes". In these drafts, I make no secrets. Perhaps there will be people whom my open statements do not quite fit, but I tried to describe the past few emotionally, rather than in a documented way. The chapters of the book are about the major stations of my already quite long life: my teachers, my childhood, the war, my ancestors ... Also upon the musicians with whom I have worked and was friend, the performers of my works, whose high art of playing has helped much for the confirmation of the value of my music". (Rodion Shchedrin)

Ein Komponist der russischen Moderne

Rodion Shchedrin

Publisher: Schott Music, Mainz 2008

German translation of the Russian original edition «Родион Константинович Щедрин. Жизнь и творчество»  (Music Production International (MPI), Chelyabinsk 2006)
168 pages, hardcover, copiously illustrated with music examples 
27,8 x 22,2 x 1,2 cm
ISBN: 978-3-7957-0127-7

You can order this book here:
http://www.schott-musik.de/shop/2/show
(Order number: ED 20224)

This book contains an introduction into the life and work of Rodion Shchedrin. Own statements and such of his colleagues, friends and companions as well as numerous pictorial documents and musical examples from his works are arranged to a vivid picture - the portrait of a multisided personality with a moving biography and a leading artist of the Russian modern age.

Rodion Shchedrin

Ekaterina Vlasova (Ed.)

Materials on his artistic career: Compilation of reviews, research reports and documentations. 

Publishing House Kompozitor, Moscow 2007, 488 pages
Russian original edition
ISBN 5-85-285-286-4 

The recently edited book is an excellent compilation of materials, articles and reviews about the artistic output of one of the great composers of present time - Rodion Shchedrin. Subdivided into selected works and partly commented by the editor the volume includes interviews, articles from professional printings and programmes to the world premieres of his works, as well as public speeches and letters, written or presented by Shchedrin himself or by renowned contemporary artists. Especially the statements and reviews of the latter - musicians, conductors and poets - paint a clear picture about the high qualities and peculiar effects of Shchedrin’s music.

The letters of Dmitri Shostakovich to Rodion Shchedrin are published here for the first time and are of inestimable value. They show the empathy of Shostakovich to the music works of Shchedrin and give readers the possibility to look at their close friendship and mutual recognition. The aesthetic position of Shostakovich in this correspondence guides readers to a better understanding of the music of Shchedrin.

In a separate section of the book are compiled the literary works of Shchedrin - the composer’s own librettos to his four operas “Dead Souls”, “Lolita”, “The Enchanted Wanderer” and “Boyarina Morosova”. With great skill and originality, with a fine feel for the specifics of the original literary text Shchedrin masters the high demands on this art form. His activity in this field explains the composer with his point of view that the best music realization of the idea of the opera succeeds in writing the text by the composer himself. The great success of Shchedrin’s operas, which also depend on the high quality of his librettos, might be seen as a clear proof of this.

The last section of the compilation titled “Discourses on the works of R. K. Shchedrin” contains articles of analysis which were held at a conference of musicologists at the Moscow Conservatory on December, 2002, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Rodion Shchedrin.

Reading the book might be essential for those who are interested in the music of Shchedrin. Also it is recommendable for readers who are looking for a special access to the contemporary Russian arts.

Rodion Konstantinovich Shchedrin – Life and work

Yekaterina Vlasova (Ed.)

Book of pictures with piano adaptations, comments and illustrations (Book series: Encounter with Russian composers)

Russian original edition
Publisher: Music Production International (??I), Chelyabinsk 2006
140 pages, hardcover, 62?94 (1/8)
ISBN: 5–9628–0141–5

You can order this book here:
http://www.bookmusic.ru/bm/productdetail.aspx?ID=207

 

Der Weg im Zentrum

Valentina Cholopova

Annäherungen an den Komponisten Rodion Shchedrin

German translation of the Russian original edition
„Валентина Холопова. Путь по центру. Композитор Родион Щедрин“
(Publisher: Kompozitor, Moscow 2000)
201 pages, paperback, b/w illustrations
ISBN: 978-3-7957-0466-7

You can order this book here: 
http://www.schott-musik.de/shop/2/show
(Order number: ED 9516)

With this portrait the Moscow musicologist traces the career of Rodion Shchedrin from his days as a chorister to international fame as a composer. While the main emphasis is on analysis of his works of the 1980s and 1990s, Cholopova also considers Shchedrin’s achievements as a pianist, as president of the Russian Federation of Composers, as a politician and as a human being. A picture emerges of a versatile composer who enjoys experimentation and yet who always remembers the needs of the listener in the second half of the 20th Century.

The way in the centre

Valentina Cholopova 

The composer Rodion Shchedrin

Russian original edition

Publisher: Kompozitor, Moscow 2000
310 pages, paperback, 60?90 (1/16)
ISBN: 5-85286-223-6

You can order this book here:
http://ruslania.com/sheetmusic/153777/put-po-tsentru-kompozitor-rodion-schedrin?language=ru

 

CDs and DVDs

NEW RELEASE The Opera Left-Hander

The new opera written by Rodion Shchedrin to the occasion the 60th jubilee of Valery Gergiev is now available on CD

The Left-Hander is a comedy about Russian and Englishmen: new technology, old traditions and strong drink. The premiere was given by Mariinsky Opera in St.Petersburg in July 2013.


The work is laced with pitch-black irony and deadpan wit. Based on Nikolai Leskov's calssical satirical novella of 1881. The Tale of Corss-Eyed Lefty from Tula and the Steel Flea, The Left-Hander is a glouriously wry exploration of Russia's relationship with the West in general and English in pracitce. 

Artists:

The Left-Hander - Andrei Popov

Ataman Platow - Edward Tsanga

Alexander I / Nicholas I - Vladimir Moroz

Princess Charlotte - Maria Maksakova

Valery Gergiev - conductor

Mariinksy Orchestra & Chorus

 

Total duration: 119m32s

Recorded 27th and 28th July 2013 in the Mariinsky II Opera Hall, St Petersburg.


The CD can be bought here: mariinskylabel.com/products/shchedrin-the-left-hander

Shchedrins’ „Beethovens’ Heiligenstadt Testament“ in the recording of Mariss Jansons

Beethoven. The Symphonies and Reflections:
Kancheli - Mochizuki - Šerkšnyte - Shchedrin - Staud - Widmann

Mariss Jansons, Choir and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Live-Recordings from Munich and Tokyo

Label: BR-Klassik
Number of CD-Discs: 6
Year of production: 2013
Running time: 6:53:21

 

Not only the outstanding recording of all nine symphonies of Beethoven by Mariss Jansons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra make this edition which consists of six compact discs particularly desirable and unique. Commissioned by Jansons, six leading composers of our days contributed also to this edition with works that were created under the influence of Beethoven’s music. The recording that has been acclaimed by critics and audience gives the unique opportunity to a listener to enjoy Beethoven’s symphonies interpreted by one of the greatest conductors of present time together with one of the world’s best orchestras. Besides this the recording provides with the contemporary compositions an interesting insight into today’s reflection of the partly more than 200 years old, but still fascinating music of Beethoven. One of these contemporary pieces is Rodion Shchedrin’s symphonic fragment for orchestra, titled "Beethoven's Heiligenstadt Testament", that was premiered in Munich on 18th December 2008. The piece pictures according to the famous letter which he wrote to his brothers and that is known as the "Heiligenstadt Testament" the painful feelings of the great German music master who had realised his progressive deafness – a condition that almost induced him to death. Shchedrin brilliantly transforms this dark chapter in Beethoven’s life in a fierce musical battle and approaches Beethoven's musical ideas and dramaturgical thinking, without being untrue to himself as a composer.

Further information about the CD box und how to order: 
http://www.br-shop.de/br-klassik-beethoven-the-symphonies-and-reflections-6-cds.html

 

Rodion Shchedrin – A Russian Composer

The Double-DVD produced by ARTHAUS MUSIK at the occasion of the 80th birthday of Rodion Shchedrin:

A film of Wolf Seesemann about Rodion Shchedrin with Martha Argerich, Valery Gergiev, Mariss Jansons, Lorin Maazel and many more ...

as well as

Live recording of the Concert from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in the year 2007
with works of the composer: 

Dialogues with Shostakovich, Symphonic etudes for orchestra
Parabola concertante per violoncello solo, orchestra d’archi e timpani
Anna Karenina, Romantic Music for symphony orchestra 
Two tangos by Albéniz for symphony orchestra

Russian National Orchestra
Conducted by Mikhail Pletnev
David Geringas, Cello

„This DVD is a documentation of my lifetime achievement as a musician. My career is sketched in a selection of interviews, archive material and live performances that keep record of what I have accomplished so far.“

Rodion Shchedrin

 

Additional informations:
Label: ARTHAUS MUSIK 
Catalogue No: 101663
Disks: 2
Release date: 19th November 2012
Running time: 65 mins (documentary), 87 mins (concert) + 66 mins bonus (extensive interview with Rodion Shchedrin)
Audio languages: RUS, DE, GB (documentary), RUS (bonus)
Subtitle languages: RUS (original language), GB, DE, FR

You can watch the DVD-Trailer „Rodion Shchedrin – A Russian Composer“ by ARTHAUS MUSIK on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwLwp8I2gVg

 

Piano Concerto No. 5

Rodion Shchedrin

+ Shostakovich, Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Denis Matsuev, piano
Mariinsky Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, conducter

For the second time Valery Gergiev and the famous orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre has released a CD in the house owned label „Mariinsky“ with works by Shchedrin, including the 5th Piano Concerto with Denis Matsuev as soloist. Shortly after the release of this recording in February 2012, it was hailed by critics as „a disc well worth having" („Audiophile Audition“) and as „among the best currently available“ („BBC Music Magazine“). For Matsuev is it already the second recording of this work on a CD. The first, which he recorded together with Mariss Jansons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2005 (Sony BMG Music Entertainment), marked a milestone in the career of this young virtuoso pianist.

In addition to Shchedrin's 5th Piano Concerto there are on the CD two piano concertos by Shostakovich, a close friend and colleague of Shchedrin.

Further information about the CD and how to order:
http://www.mariinskylabel.com/page/shostakovich-piano-concertos-nos-1-2-shchedrin-piano-concerto-no-5

http://www.schott-musik.de/shop/persons/az/rodion-shchedrin/discography/

 

Martha Argerich & Misha Maisky

Live recording of the world premiere of double concerto „Romantic Offering“ by Rodion Shchedrin

Nominated for an International Classical Music Award 2012

Martha Argerich, piano
Misha Maisky, violoncello
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor

Antonín Dvorák: Scherzo capriccioso in D flat major, op. 66
Rodion Shchedrin: Double concerto „Romantic Offering“ for piano, violoncello and orchestra
César Franck: Sonate for violoncello and piano in A major
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, op. 70

Accentus Music (Naxos Deutschland GmbH): ACCENTUS DVD ACC20224
DVD Release: 6. Juni 2011
Year of Production: 2011
Running time: 111:36 min
Running time bonus: 16:20 min
Number of Disks: 1

When pianist Martha Argerich and cellist Mischa Maisky, these two luminaries in their field, choose to play together, it promises to be something extraordinary. These gifted artists had Rodion Shchedrin in mind when he composed his double concerto „Romantic Offering“, a composition for piano, cello and symphony orchestra. Argerich and Maisky, to whom the piece is also dedicated, played it publicly for the first time in Lucerne on 9 February 2011 and made a brilliant cultural event of it. This unique interpretation of Shchedrin’s new work by an absolute star-studded cast was recorded on DVD (Accentus of Music) on the evening of the premiere. Since its appearance in last summer, the DVD has received a great public reception and is now nominated for the „ICMA 2012“ (International Classical Music Award) in the category „DVD Performance“.

In addition to Shchedrin's double concerto the DVD also contains works of Antonin Dvorák, César Franck and Dmitri Shostakovich. The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra with Neeme Järvi on the desk accompanies the programme. On the DVD there is also a 16-minute bonus material showing Martha Argerich, Misha Maisky and Rodion Shchedrin behind the scenes.

You can order this DVD here:
http://www.schott-music.com/shop/persons/az/rodion-shchedrin/discography/index.html

 

The Sealed Angel

Rodion Shchedrin

Russian Liturgy

Choral music based on Nikolai Leskov for mixed choir, soloists, two boys’ voices and flute
CD
Live recording of the concert on 17 July 2009 during the Rhinegau Music Festival in the basilica of the Eberbach Monastery (Germany)

Soloists: Inese Romancane, Zane Zilberte, Jurgis Liepnieks, Patriks Stepe, Matiss Circenis, Dita Krenberga
The State Choir of the Republic of Latvia conducted by Maris Sirmais

You can order this CD here (order number: WER 67322): 
http://www.wergo.de/shop/de_DE/3/show

 

Rodion Shchedrin composed the liturgy “The Sealed Angel”, as he himself said, “followed his heart”, nearly “as if someone were guiding his hand”. For this work - in the year 1988 composed and performed for the first time - Shchedrin was awarded with the “State Prize of Russia”, which was handed over to him in 1992 by the president of Russia - Boris Yeltsin at that time. Nowadays the work is one of the significant choral works of the 20th century and of Russian sacred music at all.

This release by WERGO is a live recording of the concert on 17 July 2009 in the context of composer portrait of Rodion Shchedrin at the Rhinegau Music Festival. The Latvian State Choir “Latvija” and its conductor Maris Sirmais, who performed that evening “The Sealed Angel” in the ancient basilica of the Eberbach Monastery, left a big impression on the audience because of the great interpretation of the work and the high technical level of the choir.

“The Latvian State Choir is one of the finest choirs I have ever heard … With Maris Sirmais, the choir is fortunate to work with an extraordinary choral director. The expressivity of his conducting places both the singers and the audience under his spell. In his experienced hands, the acoustics of the ancient, legendary Eberbach Monastery are transformed into a faithful ally and magician’s assistant. I am sure that after hearing this CD you will share my joy and enthusiasm as well.” (Rodion Shchedrin)

Double CD with music works of Rodion Shchedrin

Opera „The Enchanted Wanderer“
Four Fragments from the ballet „The Little Humpbacked Horse”
Concerto for Orchestra No 1 “Naughty Limericks” 

Soloists, chorus and orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre
conducted by Valery Gergiev
Recording on July, 2008, in the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg)
Format: Double CD, Hybrid SACD
Label: Mariinsky
Running time: 111:11
Languages: RU, GB, DE, FR 
Libretto: RU, GB

In March 2010 the Mariinsky label has released its new CD with music works of Rodion Shchedrin. This recording, performed by the soloists, chorus and orchestra of the St Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre under the direction of Valery Gergiev, has immediately drawn the attention of specialist circles in music. The BBC Music Magazine hailed the opera “The Enchanted Wanderer” as best opera recording of the month.

You can order this CD here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shchedrin-Enchanted-Humpbacked-Fragments-Limericks/dp/B0038ZGLR0

 

Boyarina Morozova

Rodion Shchedrin

Edition Rodion Shchedrin

WERGO presents:
Awarded with the “ECHO KLASSIK 2008” in the category
"The opera recording 
of the year: XX-XXI century"!

Russian Choral Opera in Two Parts for Four Soloists, Mixed Chorus, Trumpet, Timpani and Percussion
Libretto by Rodion Shchedrin
Soloists: Larisa Kostyuk, Veronika Dzhioeva, Andrew Goodwin, Mikhail Davydov, Kirill Soldatov, Viktor Grishin, Mikhail Dunayev, Andrei Orlov
Chamber Choir of the Moscow Conservatory, conductor Boris Tevlin

Live recording of the world premiere performance, 30 October 2006, large hall of the Moscow Conservatory

WERGO 2007
Running time: 59:11
(CD - 88-page booklet, slipcase)

You can order this CD here (Order number: WER 67002):
http://www.wergo.de/shop/de_DE/3/show

 

 

On the occasion of the composer’s 75th birthday on 16 December 2007, WERGO continues publishing CDs within the Edition Rodion Shchedrin with a world premiere recording. The Russian choral opera “Boyarina Morozova” describes the schism in the Russian Orthodox Church that began in the seventeenth century. This religious conflict, whose effects are still felt today, ignited in reaction to the ecclesiastical reforms of Nikon, then patriarch of Moscow.

The composer's preface: “Setting to music this terrible page in the history of the schism of the church and the rise of the Old Believers in Russia and the bitter fates of the people involved was a long-held dream. Several times I began it, but each time I dropped it again, because I could not, it seemed to me, suitably tackle this gripping theme. Only when it became clear to me that it should take the musical form of a 'Russian choral opera' did my work make progress. As literary materials I used texts from the two great books 'The Life of Protopope Avvakum, Written by Himself', and 'The Life of Boyarina Morozova, Princess Urusova, and Mariya Danilova'. The four soloists (Boyarina Morozova; her sister, Princess Urusova; Protopope Avvakum, and Czar Alexei Mikhailovich) would be joined by three instrumental soloists: trumpet, timpani, and a percussionist playing other instruments. The choir would not only take on the usual role of a choir but that of the orchestra, which sometimes plays the part of a narrator, sometimes that of a modest accompanist.” (Rodion Shchedrin)

SHCHEDRIN plays SHCHEDRIN

Polyphonic Notebook for Piano / 24 Preludes and Fugues for Piano

Rodion Shchedrin

2 CDs:

Polyphonic Notebook: 25 Polyphonic Preludes for Piano, op. 50 

24 Preludes and Fugues for Piano (Book I “Sharp Keys”, op. 29; Book II “Flat Keys”, op. 45)

Recorded in Moscow: 1973 (Polyphonic Notebook), 1966 (24 Preludes and Fugues for Piano, Book I), 1971
(24 Preludes and Fugues for Piano, Book II)

WERGO 2007
Running time: 78:18 (CD 1); 76:24 (CD 2)

You can order the CD here (Order number: WER 66892): 
http://www.wergo.de/shop/de_DE/3/show


Piano Sonata / Notebook for the Youth / Piano Pieces

Rodion Shchedrin

from: 

Piano Sonata, op. 25

Notebook for the Youth: 15 Piano Pieces, op. 59

Piano Pieces, op. 20: Three Pieces from the Ballet „The Humpbacked Horse”, Humoresque, Imitating Albéniz, Two Polyphonic Pieces

Recorded in Moscow: 1964 (Piano Sonata; Piano Pieces, op. 20), 1983 (Notebook for the Youth)

WERGO 2007
Running time: 60:37

 

You can order the CD here (Order number: WER 66912):
http://www.wergo.de/shop/de_DE/3/show

 

„Performing one’s own works in public has a long-standing and wonderful tradition in Russia: one only has to think of Scriabin, Rakhmaninov, Prokofiev and Shostakovich … The fact that I was able to play my own works, that the audience bought tickets for my concerts, helped me very much at the beginning of my artistic career. I did not only ‘interpret’ my new work, but I also ‘legalized’ it … I am very glad that WERGO releases recordings of my music from past years. The company Melodiya who had recorded them in those years made brilliant recordings of classical and contemporary music at that time. After perestroika, however, the label practically ceased to exist. It is only now that Melodiya begins to live again, focusing mainly on light music now … I hope that these recordings will attract the attention and interest of music lovers. Today, they are almost history, but it may be all the more interesting to listen to them after such a long time in comparison to those difficult and turbulent years.” (Rodion Shchedrin)